Digital Device Usage Patterns and Psychological Well-Being Among University Students: A Systematic Literature Review and Implications for Machakos County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajet.v5i3.8092Keywords:
Digital Device Usage Patterns, Mental Health, Psychological Well-Being, Smartphone Use, Social Media, University StudentsAbstract
Digital technology has undergone enormous growth and has changed the way university students acquire knowledge, communicate, interact, and socialize with their friends. While it is undeniable that the usage of digital devices (smartphones, laptops, and tablets) and internet applications offers educational and social advantages for university students, there has been an increasing concern regarding its consequences on the psychological well-being of students. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-synthesis on existing research on the implications of digital device usage patterns on psychological well-being among university students in Machakos County, Kenya. Gratifications Theory, Cognitive-Behavioral Theory of Internet Use, and Social Comparison Theory were used to explore the relationships between different patterns of digital device usage and psychological well-being. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was adopted which followed the PRISMA 2020 framework. The search was conducted through Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ERIC, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases for peer-reviewed papers between the years 2020 and 2026. Data was then synthesized using thematic synthesis method. The study found that digital device usage patterns significantly influence university students’ psychological well-being. Moderate, purposeful use of digital devices enhanced academic productivity, strengthened social connectedness and increased knowledge sharing among students, thus improving their psychological well-being. However, addictive and problematic usage of smartphones, social media sites, and internet applications was consistently linked to higher stress, anxiety, and depression levels, psychological distress, sleep disorders, and academic impairment. Furthermore, the review established that an individual’s motivational intent in the usage of digital devices, emotional coping skills, and social comparison mechanisms are important factors that determine psychological outcomes of university students. The study concluded that by encouraging responsible and constructive use of digital devices and other mental health interventions, university students in Machakos County and higher education settings at large can improve their psychological well-being.
Downloads
References
Abellana, C. J. P., Mendez, A. M. H., Subido, G. M. V., & Culajara, C. L. (2024). The social comparison trap: Association between fear of missing out (FOMO) and self-esteem in college students. American Journal of Human Psychology, 2(1), 114–120. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajhp.v2i1.2807
Bitegeko, R. M., & Seni, A. J. (2025). Unpacking the value-effect gap: University students’ engagement with social media in academic and social context. Educational Dimension, 1065, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.55056/ed.1065
Busch, P. A., & McCarthy, S. (2021). Antecedents and consequences of problematic smartphone use: A systematic literature review of an emerging research area. Computers in Human Behavior, 114, 106414.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106414
Candussi, C., Kabir, R., & Sivasubramanian, M. (2023). Problematic smartphone usage, prevalence and patterns among university students: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 14, 100643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100643
Dacay, N. J. B., Rañon, J. G., & Culajara, C. L. (2024). Examining the health-promoting lifestyle of college students: A quantitative analysis. American Journal of Human Psychology, 2(1), 93–103. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajhp.v2i1.2823
Davis, R. A. (2001). A cognitive-behavioral model of pathological Internet use. Computers in Human Behavior, 17(2), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(00)00041-8
Du, M., Zhao, C., Hu, H., Ding, N., He, J., Tian, W., Zhao, W., Lin, X., Liu, G., Chen, W., Wang, S., Wang, P., Xu, D., Shen, X., & Zhang, G. (2024). Association between problematic social networking use and anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychology, 12, 263. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01705-w
Ferrari, M., Allan, S., Arnold, C., Eleftheriadis, D., Alvarez-Jimenez, M., Gumley, A., & Gleeson, J. F. (2022). Digital interventions for psychological well-being in university students: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(9), e39686. https://doi.org/10.2196/39686
Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140.https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202
Groenestein, E., Willemsen, L., van Koningsbruggen, G. M., Ket, H., & Kerkhof, P. (2024). The relationship between fear of missing out, digital technology use, and psychological well-being: A scoping review of conceptual and empirical issues. PLOS ONE, 19(10), e0308643.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308643
Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., & Gurevitch, M. (1973). Uses and gratifications research. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509–523. https://doi.org/10.1086/268109
Kemuma, J. H. (2021). Relationship between problematic smartphone use and psychological distress among university students: A case study of Mount Kenya University. University of Nairobi Repository (Thesis). https://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/160801
Kituyi, G. M., & Kyeyune, R. (2024). Social media and the mental health of university students in Sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health, 24, Article 3201. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20707-2
Kizito, M., Kayongo, I., Nyende, H., Chongomweru, H., Muyama, L., Asiku, R. A., & Mugisha, A. (2025). MakOne: Behavioural data of university students’ smart devices in Uganda. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2509.22334
Lu, X., An, X., & Chen, S. (2024). Trends and influencing factors in problematic smartphone use prevalence (2012–2022): A systematic review and meta-analysis.Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 27(9). https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0548
Mostyn Sullivan, B., & George, A. M. (2023). The association of motives with problematic smartphone use: A systematic review. Cyberpsychology. Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 17(1), Article 2.https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2023-1-2
Mudau, T., Jithoo, V., & Dietrich, J. (2024). Exploring the demand, practicality, and acceptability of a mental health application intervention for students at a South African university. South African Journal of Psychology, 54(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/00812463241249100
Musyimi, E. M., Kabue, P., & Mugo, J. (2018). Sexting and risky sexual behaviour among students in Machakos University, Machakos County, Kenya. Global Journal of Health Sciences, 10(5), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.47604/gjhs.1154
Mutiso, V. N., Ndetei, D. M., Muia, E. N., & Musyimi, C. N. (2023). Students’ stress patterns in a Kenyan socio-cultural and economic context: Toward a public health intervention. Scientific Reports, 13, 27608. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-27608-1
Mutiso, V. N., Ndetei, D. M., Muia, E. N., Musyimi, C. N., Osborn, T. L., Swahn, M. H., & Mamah, D. (2022). Prevalence and perception of substance abuse and associated economic indicators and mental health disorders in a large cohort of Kenyan students: Towards an integrated public health approach and clinical management. BMC Psychiatry, 22, 191. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03817-2.
Oyoo, E., Zainabu, O., & Onyango, T. (2024). The power of smartphone use in enhancing psychological well-being of university students. African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, 8(1). https://ajest.org/index.php/ajest/article/view/402
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., McGuinness, L. A., Stewart, L. A., Thomas, J., Tricco, A. C., Welch, V. A., Whiting, P., & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Petersen, B., Khalili-Mahani, N., Murphy, C., Sawchuk, K., Phillips, N., Li, K. Z. H., & Hebblethwaite, S. (2023). The association between information and communication technologies, loneliness and social connectedness: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1063146.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1063146.
Ratan, Z. A., Parrish, A. M., Zaman, S. B., Alotaibi, M. S., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2021). Smartphone addiction and associated health outcomes in adult populations: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 12257.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212257.
Sánchez-Fernández, M., & Borda-Mas, M. (2023). Problematic smartphone use and specific problematic Internet uses among university students and associated predictive factors: A systematic review. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 7111–7204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11437-2.
Santos, R. M. S., Oliveira, G. B. de, Fernandes, F. M., Ventura, S. de A., Romano-Silva, M. A., & Miranda, D. M. de. (2024). Associations between smartphone use and mental disorders in college students: A systematic review. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 13(1), 298–309. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20244130
Wanjiru, D., Ojuade, S. O., & Munda, P. O. (2025). Correlates of psychological distress and smartphone addiction among university students at Africa International University, Nairobi County, Kenya. Journal of Sociology, Psychology and Religious, 5(4), 33–43.https://doi.org/10.70619/vol5iss4pp33-43 https://edinburgjournals.org/journals/index.php/journal-of-sociology/article/view/515
Wasiaya, O. C., Serede, S. K., & Mberia, H. K. (2023). Cognition as a driving factor for mobile phone technology use among public university students in Nairobi, Kenya. Archives of Business Research, 11(4), 76–86. https://doi.org/10.14738/abr.114.14391
Wu, P., Feng, R., & Zhang, J. (2024).The relationship between loneliness and problematic social media usage in Chinese university students: A longitudinal study.BMC Psychology, 12, 13.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01498-4
Zhang, C., Tang, L., & Liu, Z. (2023). How social media usage affects psychological and subjective well-being: Testing a moderated mediation model.BMC Psychology, 11, 286.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01311-2
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Mwunda Nicholus M, Maingi Caroline M
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
